Giants’ Daniel Jones Talks QB Trade Rumors Ahead of 2024 NFL Draft, Injury Rehab

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVMay 2, 2024

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Daniel Jones is only worried about what he can control.

On Wednesday, the New York Giants quarterback addressed rumors that his team attempted to trade up and land a signal-caller during the NFL draft and said, “I’m focused on what I can control and that is preparing to play good football,” per Dan Duggan of The Athletic. “So, getting healthy and I’ll be ready to go.”

His health figures to be a focal point this offseason after he suffered a torn ACL that ended his 2023 campaign.

Jones said he is “in a good spot” and will “be ready to go for training camp.”

As for the draft rumors, insider Jordan Schultz reported the Giants attempted to trade up to No. 3 with the New England Patriots so they could select North Carolina’s Drake Maye. However, the Patriots ended up keeping the pick and drafting him themselves.

It doesn’t come as a significant surprise that New York would be interested in addressing the quarterback position even after giving Jones a new contract last offseason.

After all, he is not only coming off the injury but has also been fairly inconsistent throughout his career.

There is the good, such as when he threw for 3,027 yards, 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as a rookie and when he led the Giants to the playoffs in 2022 with 15 touchdown passes to five interceptions. Then there is also the bad, including his 22-36-1 record as a starter and performance last season before the injury.

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Jones went 1-5 as a starter last season with two touchdown passes to six interceptions. He looked nothing like the version of himself who directed a playoff offense the prior campaign, which left question marks even before the torn ACL.

And now there are questions about his health as well.

With that as the backdrop, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah reported Wednesday that he believes “Drew Lock has a really good shot” to become the Giants’ starting quarterback this season.

That only raises more questions about Jones’ status with the team moving forward.

New York ended up staying put at No. 6 overall and drafted LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers to give Jones another weapon on the outside if he does maintain his starting role. Perhaps that will help him rediscover his 2022 form, although the Giants won’t have Saquon Barkley out of the backfield after he joined the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles.

For now, the NFC East team is keeping Jones on the roster. But there will be plenty of pressure on him to perform if he wants to remain in that position by the 2025 campaign.